After years of under-investment, steel works in Britain struggle to compete with cheap imports—particularly as China’s economic slowdown has seen global demand plummet. But its products are still needed.

Community union member Paul works in the threatened plate mill. He told Socialist Worker, “Everything relies on steel—your washing machine, your car, the hinges on your door.

Excuses

“Where will that come from without us?”

The government’s excuses only make workers angrier.

Paul said, “I feel let down. What really rankles is that at the same time as blaming China, the government is kissing the Chinese president’s arse. I actually shouted at the TV.

Tory grandee Michael Heseltine rubbed salt in the wound saying “if you are going to lose your job this is probably a good a time” because there are so many “exciting” new jobs.

The government announced funding for training courses for unemployed people. But steel worker Phil said, “Better to keep the jobs they’ve got than pretend they’ll all get hired by Costa Coffee.”

Local resident Max had made a banner calling for jobs to be saved. He said, “We’ve got to fight for every job. Whatever happens next I hope it’s an escalation.”

The unions demand subsidies or tax breaks to lift bosses’ profits, and import controls to keep out Chinese steel. These won’t solve the crisis, and divert anger in the wrong direction.

Instead many workers argue that if the government bailed out banks, it should also save the steel industry.

At a trades council meeting in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, last week, 50 trade unionists pledged to back any action steel workers take. Their statement is picking up support online.

Officials from the GMB and Community unions both told Socialist Worker they hoped to build a national demonstration.

GMB organiser Shaune Clarkson said, “We can’t let this town go under, we can’t stand by as another industry dies—we’ve got to fight for it.”

Workers plan a mass meeting on Tuesday 10 November, followed by a march on the Tory council’s meeting.

Matt called for support. He said, “What’s going to make the difference is the amount of people involved—it’s about strength in numbers.”

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